Process for treating water

ABSTRACT

A process for treating a body of water to cool and to increase the dissolved oxygen content of the water which involves producing controlled translatory waves in the body of water. The process includes storing water in a reservoir at a selected height above the level of the body of water, periodically releasing specified quantities of water from the reservoir at a point below the level and in an upward direction toward the surface and into the body of water. The upward direction of the released water is accomplished by releasing the water against a deflector located near the base of the reservoir. The released water forms a translatory wave in the body of water and as it moves away from the reservoir, it breaks causing effective mixing of air and water, cooling the water and increasing the oxygen content of the water. The translatory wave produced is referred to as a plunger breaker type. In this type of wave, the waves curl over in breaking enclosing an air pocket which explodes during the breaking process. This action accomplishes excellent mixing of air and water and where solid particles are present, breaking and pulverizing of the particles. The process may be used in conjunction with natural or artificial bodies of water and provisions are made with artificial bodies for removal of water at a point remote from the point of wave formation at a rate substantially equal to the average rate of addition of water from the reservoir. The invention pertains to cooling water effluent from power generation stations to prevent thermal pollution of natural bodies of water. The invention in another embodiment pertains to a more efficient method of aerating and treating sewage.

United States Patent 1 McLaughlin June 3, 1975 1 1 PROCESS FOR TREATINGWATER Minor E. McLaughlin, Newfane, Vt.

[73] Assignee: Economic Development Corporation,

Newfane, Vt.

[221 Filed: Feb. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 445,230

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 230,424, Feb.29, 1972, Pat. N0.

[75] Inventor:

2,901,114 8/1959 Smith et a1.... 3,473,334 10/1969 Dexter 3,546,11112/1970 Busch 210/18 Primary ExaminerThomas G. Wyse AssistantExaminer-Benoit Castel Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Samuel J. DuBoff; DavidJ. Mugford', Perry Carvellas 1 ABSTRACT A process for treating a body ofwater to cool and to increase the dissolved oxygen content of the wat rwhich involves producing controlled translatory waves in the body ofwater. The process includes storing water in a reservoir at a selectedheight above the level of the body of water, periodically releasingspecified quantities of water from the reservoir at a point below thelevel and in an upward direction toward the surface and into the body ofwater. The upward direction of the released water is accomplished byreleasing the water against a deflector located near the base of thereservoir. The released water forms a translatory wave in the body ofwater and as it moves away from the reservoir, it breaks causingeffective mixing of air and water, cooling the water and increasing theoxygen content of the water. The translatory wave produced is referredto as a plunger breaker type. In this type of wave, the waves curl overin breaking enclosing an air pocket which explodes during the breakingprocess. This action accomplishes excellent mixing of air and water andwhere solid particles are present, breaking and pulverizing of theparticles.

The process may be used in conjunction with natural or artificial bodiesof water and provisions are made with artificial bodies for removal ofwater at a point remote from the point of wave formation at a ratesubstantially equal to the average rate of addition of water from thereservoir. The invention pertains to cooling water effluent from powergeneration stations to prevent thermal pollution of natural bodies ofwater. The invention in another embodiment pertains to a more efficientmethod of aerating and treating sewage.

15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PROCESS FOR TREATING WATER This is adivision, of Application Ser. No. 230,424, filed Feb. 29, 1972 now US.Pat. No. 3,823,767.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a processfor treating water and more particularly, to a process for treatingwater to cool and increase the oxygen content thereof.

In the past, with rapid industrialization and the emphasis on efficientand economical production, too little attention has been devoted toprotecting the environment. As a consequence, domestic and industrialwaste has fouled streams and rivers while power plants have renderedwaters unsuitable for marine life due to thermal pollution. The urgentcurrent need is to reverse the neglect of years past, clean up waterswhich have been polluted and to develop more effective methods of wastetreatment and disposal which take ecological factors into account. Notonly has this need been generally recognized, but governmental bodiesare working diligently towards the goal of a better environment byimposing stricter ecological standards on both the public and theindustry.

Cooling water used in some industrial processes and in steam electricpower generation stations is characterized by high temperatures whichreduce the capacity of water to hold oxygen in solution. Thermalpollution, however, is significant also because it changes theenvironmental thermal balance of the stream and effects the life cycleof plant and animal life.

COOLING WATER Several different techniques have been used to cool warmeffluent water from electrical power generation stations and otherindustrial plants. One such technique involves the use of natural draftcooling towers. These have been used for many years in Europe and havenow become standard practice for meeting watercooling requirements, forexample, of power stations in Britain. These structures are best suitedfor very large cooling water demands and are commonly 265 feet indiameter and 340 feet in height. These towers are relativelyinefficient, require large amounts of land and in the winter, at theupper levels, tend to freeze. The initial costs are very high. They arealso objectionable in that they are relatively unsightly. Othertechniques involve the use of mechanical force draft cooling towers.These have the additional disadvantage of requiring large amounts ofelectrical power to provide the force draft.

Another conventional procedure for cooling is the use of cooling ponds.These proved to be relatively slow and inefficient and to require agreat deal of acreage.

TREATING SEWAGE The principal sources of water pollution are primarilydomestic sewage and industrial wastes.

All waste waters are eventually discharged into surface or ground-watercourses, which constitute the natural drainage of an area. Most wastewaters contain offensive and potentially dangerous substances, which cancause pollution and contamination of the receiving water bodies. In thepast, the dilution afforded by the receiving water body was usuallygreat enough to render these waste substances innocuous. Since the turnof the century, however, the dilution of many rivers has been inadequateto absorb the greater waste discharges caused by the increase inpopulation and expansion of industry.

Municipal sewage effluent put into streams requires oxygen for itsstabilization by bacteria. Oxygen is often utilized more rapidly than itis replaced by reaeration, resulting in the death of the normal aquaticlife in the vicinity of the source of sewage. Further downstream, if theoxygen demands are satisfied, reaeration replenishes the oxygen supply.

Natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and oceans have a capacityto selfpurify. The selfpurification capacity is determined by theavailable dilution, the biophysical environment of the stream, and thestrength and characteristics of the wastes.

The concentration of the dissolved oxygen depends not only on therelative dilutions, but also upon the rate of oxidation of the organicmaterial and the rate of reaeration of the stream.

Non-polluted natural waters are usually saturated with dissolved oxygen.They may even be supersaturated due to the oxygen released by greenwater plants under the influence of sunlight. When an organic waste isdischarged into a stream, the dissolved oxygen is utilized by thebacteria in their metabolic processes to oxidize the organic matter. Theoxygen is replaced by reaeration through the water surface exposed tothe atmosphere. This replenishment permits the bacteria to continue theoxidative process in an aerobic environment. In this state, reasonablyclean appearance, freedom from odors, and normal animal and plant lifeare maintained.

An increase in the concentration of organic matter stimulates the growthof bacteria and increases the rates of oxidation and oxygen utilization.If the concentration of the organic pollutant is so great that thebacteria use oxygen more rapidly than it can be replaced, only anaerobicbacteria can survive and the stabilization of organic matter isaccomplished in the absence of oxygen. Under these conditions, the waterbecomes unsightly and malodorous, and the normal flora and fauna aredestroyed. Furthermore, anaerobic decomposition proceeds at a slowerrate than aerobic. For maintenance of satisfactory conditions, minimaldissolved oxygen concentrations in receiving streams are of primaryimportance.

Organic industrial waste produces a similar pattern in the concentrationof dissolved oxygen. Certain chemical wastes have high oxygen demandswhich may be exerted quickly, producing a sudden drop in the dissolvedoxygen content. Other chemical wastes may be toxic and destroy thebiological activity in the stream.

Devices and methods have been described at length in the prior art forwater purification and the treatment of waste materials. Generally,these methods employ settling tanks and treatment facilities whichoccupy a considerable area and are quite expensive.

The present invention pertains to a new and improved method for treatingwater which involves a unique combination of steps. The invention asdescribed hereinafter has many advantages over the prior art andrepresents an important advance in this area.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention toprovide a new and improved process for treating water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an efiicient methodfor producing waves of a type which effectively mix air and water tosubstantially increase the oxygen content of the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for the creationof controlled translatory waves of the spilling breaker type whichoptimize the mixing of air and water.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a method fortreating water by causing periodic controlled waves therein to increasethe level of oxygen in the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide an efficient economicalmeans for mixing air with sewage to assist in the biological attack onthe sewage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unique method fortreating sewage to eliminate the pollutants therefrom by moreeffectively aerating the sewage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention comprises a process for treatingwater to cool it and to increase the oxygen content thereof.

The present invention contemplates the generation of translatory wavesof the spilling breaker type and includes a pool or large body of waterand a waveproducing portion or reservoir area. The translatory wave thatis produced is referred to as the plunger breaker type. In this type ofwave. the waves curl over in breaking, enclosing an air pocket whichexplodes during the breaking process. The action accomplishes excellentmixing of air and water in sewage treatment where solid particles areinvolved breaking and pulverizing of the particles.

In accordance with the method of the present invention a pump receiveswater from the pool area and discharges it into the wave-producingportion at an average rate substantially equal to the rate of water flowfrom the latter to the former, raising the water level in thewave-producing portion above the normal quiescent level of the waterwithin the pool. Then, a gate in the bottom of the wave-producingportion is opened and, as the water within is lowered by the effect ofgravity converting the potential energy to kinetic energy, a controlledquantity thereof is forceably expelled into the pool area at a distancebelow the normal quiescent level thereof. Substantially all of thisexpelled portion is deflected upwardly to create a translatory surfacewave upon the body of water within the pool area. This method produceswaves by utilizing the potential energy of the hydraulic head of theraised portion of water and a properly proportioned directional control,and utilizes a predetermined pumping rate related to the rate of waterreleased to the pool area. The appara' tus used in accordance with thismethod is comparatively simple. enjoys improved reliability andreproducibility. and reduced operating and maintenance costs.

The apparatus can be produced and constructed on a barge such that itcan be moved from one location to another.

The desired movement of water can be obtained by directing substantiallyall of the discharged water toward the surface of the body of waterthrough an upwardly sloping discharge path, or preferably it can beobtained by directing substantially all of the discharged water in ahorizontal direction against a baffle or de flector removed from thedischarge gate and formed to direct substantially all of the dischargedwater toward the surface of the body of water.

We turn now to a more detailed discussion of a preferred embodiment ofthis invention. In accordance with the method of the invention, a poolarea having an upstream end and a downstream end is used. A pair of ssubstantially vertical sidewalls extend longitudinally along either sideof the pool floor. The wave-producing portion is formed adjacent theupstream end by rearward extensions of the sidewalls, a rear wallextending laterally between the sidewalls. and a substantiallyhorizontal floor spaced above the downstream end of the pool floor. Ahorizontally elongated opening is defined along the bottom of thedividing wall. A quick opening and a quick-closing gate disposed withinthe opening communicates between the wave-producing portion and the poolarea. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, a deflector traversingthe width of the pool is spaced downstream of the gate at the junctionof the horizontal floor and the pool floor. Hydraulic pumping means areprovided to pump water from the pool area and deposit same at a raisedelevation within the wave producing portion.

It may be noted here that reference to a pool" may also include naturalbodies of water, such as rivers, streams or lakes where it is desired toproduce appro- 35 priate waves for cooling effluent and oxygenenrichment. The wave-making process of the invention will operate toproduce waves in such natural bodies of water but for optimum efficiencyit may be desirable to install sidewalls in order to minimize any wavedissipation.

One embodiment of the invention involves a method for cooling bodies ofwater which comprises feeding and Storing warm effluent water in areservoir and periodically releasing the water from beneath the surfacethereof into a pool area which contains water at a lower temperature.The released water is directed upwardly into the holding area causing anexplosivelike wave which violently mixes air and water causing a maximumamount of oxygen to mix with the water and promote cooling thereof. Thismethod eliminates the necessity for large cooling towers or a greatnumber of holding areas and is more economical and permits more estheticdesigns.

The invention relates to a method of creating waves of a type whichsubstantially cools the wave and adjacent body of water by mixing withthe air and at the same time entraining substantial amounts of air andwater into the wave such that the oxygen content of the wave andadjacent body of water is enriched and the wave is cooled. The movementof the wave front downstream effectively displaces large amounts of airwhich enhances the overall cooling effect and sets up a natural draftover the pool surface.

This method provides a means for dissipating heat and as such can serveas a heat-sink in a conventional thermodynamic process such asrefrigeration or steam power'generation, or it may be used in anyprocess in which water is used as the vehicle for heat removal and 60when it is convenient or desirable to make final heat rejection toatmospheric air. Water acting as the heattransfer fluid, ultimatelygives up heat to atmospheric air.

The rate or amount of heat removal depends on the temperature andmoisture content of air. An indication of the moisture content of theair is its wet-bulb temperature. Ideally, the wet-bulb temperature isthe lowest theoretical temperature to which the water can be cooled.Practically, the cold-water temperature approaches but does not equalthe air wet-bulb temperature. The magnitude of approach to the wet-bulbtemperature is dependent on the efficiency of air-to-water contact, timeand amount of break-up by water into droplets.

A cooling of the warm effluent water in the reservoir to within 524F.and preferably 5 to l5F. above wet-bulb temperature represents goodpractice. The cooling action of the wave generating apparatus varieswith the exposed surface, the water temperature, the relative humidityand air temperature, the volume of water released, size and shape ofwave, and linear velocity of wave over the surface of the water. Theevaporative water cooling method of the present invention experiences aloss of water due to evaporation which is equal to about 0.5 to 2.0, andpreferably, 0.5 to 1.0 percent of the water circulated dependingprincipally on the temperature cooling range, ambient and wetbulbtemperatures, cloud cover and wind conditions.

The heat transfer mechanism principally involves;

l. latent heat transfer owing to vaporization of a small portion of thewater; and

2. sensible heat transfer owing to the differences in temperature ofwater and air. Approximately 7090 percent of the heat transfer is due tolatent heat and -30 percent from sensible heat.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method for treatingsewage effluent which has particular application in the field of wastetreatment and water purification. Typically, a raw sewage effluent is 95percent by weight liquid. A sewage effluent stream is fed and stored ina reservoir and periodically released from the lower portion of thereservoir into a settling area. The released water is directed upwardlytoward the surface of the water in the settling area with an explosiveaction which breaks down organic materials into finer particles, mixesliquids, solids and chemicals instantly and dissolves large amounts ofoxygen within the water.

The sewage is released from the reservoir at controlled intervals toproduce series of explosive-type waves which effectively mix air andorganic materials together with water to ensure complete aeration. Theaeration of the sewage water by the wave action facili tates theconsumption of organic waste by bacteria. The resultant wave is directedover a settling area where sedimentation of heavier material occurs. Theupper surface of the water is continuously aerated by the wave actionwhile the lower portion is agitated by means ofa weir-like bafflesarranged across the settling area to permit denser materials to settlein finer grades as the water moves over the full length of the channel.The settling area is designed so that the agitation effect producescomplete digestion while the ebbing and flowing of the waves permits thesettling of solids and minute particles. The activated sludge settles ona baffle-like floor and is pumped from the tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects andadvantages of the present invention will be more clearly seen whenviewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for practicing the methodof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 toillustrate the operation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a first. second and third channel;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a simplified layout of a system for practicingthe process of the invention showing the first, second and thirdchannels of FIG. 3.

The cooling embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2of the drawings. Turning now to the drawings, the same referencenumerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views.FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling apparatus and pool embodyingthe teachings of the present invention. The overall dimensions andvolume of water will de pend on the required cooling capacity. The feedto the unit will be described as a warm effluent from a steam electricgeneration plant which is fed into reservoir R. The apparatus comprisesa pool area generally designated by the reference character A. A floor10 forms the bottom of the pool area A. An end section 11 connects thesides 13 and 14. The bottom 10 may be horizontal or sloping upward inthe direction away from the wave generating apparatus. The side walls 13and 14 extend vertically upward from the floor 10 and extend thelongitudinal length thereof. Heightened sidewall extensions 13a and 14aintegral with the sidewalls l3 and 14, respectively, extend beyond theupstream end of the floor 10. An upwardly, outwardly sloping rear wall17 extends laterally between the terminal ends of the sidewallextensions 13a and 140. A forward wall 18 extending between thesidewalls and spaced from the rear wall 17 forms a mutual divisionbetween the pool area A and the waveprodueing portion R. The onlypurpose of these walls 17 and 18 and sidewalls 13a and 14a is to providemeans for storing or maintaining a head of water above the normalquiescent level of the body of water in the pool area A.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which further details a preferentialconstruction of FIG. 1, a substantially horizontal floor 19, forming thebottom of the wave-producing portion R, extends forward of the wall I8and termi nates above the upstream end of floor 10. A deflector 20extending between the sidewalls l3 and 14 slopes upward from the floorI9 to a rounded apex, then slopes downward blending into the pool floor10 to form an integral junction between the aforementioned floors. Thefront surface of the deflector 20 rises upward toward the surface of thewater, the apex is rounded, and the rear surface slopes downward.Preferably, the deflector should rise in a smooth curve from the floor19 and continue into a rounded top surface. but the specific curvaturemay vary, depending on the various parameters to be discussed morethoroughly herein, such as for example, the location of the deflector.The vertical wall 18 terminates with a lower edge 22 approximately levelwith the rounded apex of the deflector 20 and spaced above the floor 19to provide a water passageway communicating between the pool A and thereservoir R. A vertical gate 23 operable to provide fluid communicationbetween the water in the reservoir and the water in the pool areasupported by spaced columns along its length is disposed between thelower edge 22 of the wall 18 and the floor 19. This gates is preferablyrisable as is shown, but it could also be operated in whole or in partin a lateral direction. A double-acting plunger, here shown as fluidcylinder 27, provides means for rapid displacement of the gate betweenthe open and closed positions. A fluid compres sor 28 supported upon anapron 29 extending from the rear wall 17 communicates through theconduit 30, control junction 31 and fluid supply lines 32 and 32a tooperatively control the fluid cylinder 27.

The rate of water removal from the pool area is ad justed tosubstantially equal the average rate of water release into the poolarea. The conduits 33 for withdrawal of water from the pool arepositioned remote from the wave-producing area and preferably are asnear to the downstream area as is feasible in order to prevent theformation of echo or rebound waves which would interfere with thecreation and operation of the desired waves.

Warm water is introduced into reservoir R through inlet 38 and releasedinto the pool by raising gate 23 whereby the water is deflected againstdeflector 20 forming wave W. The wave passes down the length of the poolarea A and is cooled. At points near the end of pool A the cooled wateris removed through outlets 33 and may be recycled to reservoir R forfurther cooling or discharged into an adjoining river or stream.Alternatively, the cooled water may be returned to the power generationstation and again used to indirectly cool steam.

In operation, the gate 23 is first lowered to form a substantial sealbetween the pool area A and the waveproducing portion R. The pool area Ais first fllled with water such that the quiescent level is above theconduits 33. The wave-producing reservoir R is filled with warm effluentwater to its desired height. The hydraulic fluid cylinders 27 areactivated, raising the gate 23. As the gate rises, the hydraulic head ofthe stored water within the wave-producing portion forces a quantity ofwater from the lower level thereof through the passageway between thewall 18 and the floor 19. As this quantity of water forceably strikesthe deflector 20, a wave (illustrated as W in FIG. 2) is created whichtravels downstream within the pool area to wall 11. Water flows bygravity from the pool through the conduits 33 and suitable connectinglines and can be recycled if desired to inlet 38. It will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art that the height of water and thesize and duration of the opening of the gates 23 directly controls thequantity of water ejected from the waveproducing portion.

It has been determined that the formation of solitary waves oftranslation of the spilling breaker type to obtain maximum cooling andoxygen enrichment is dependent upon the following factors:

The pressure difference between the height of the water in the retainedhead of the reservoir and the height of water in the pool area;

The interval of time through which the pressure difference operates todischarge water from the reservoir and the amount of water flowingduring that interval of time;

The amount of vertical rise of the front upward slop ing face of thedeflector with respect to the horizontal distance of the apex of thedeflector from the point of release of water from the reservoir;

The relationship for a given shape of the front and rear surfaces of thedeflector, between the height of water in the reservoir and the heightof water in the lagoon area above the apex of the deflector.

The translatory wave that is produced is referred to as the plungerbreaker type. In this type of wave, the

waves curl over in breaking, enclosing an air pocket which explodesduring the breaking process. The action accomplishes excellent mixing ofair and water and in sewage treatment where solid particles are involvedbreaking and pulverizing of the particles.

With regard to these factors, it is clear that according to the presentinvention the pressure of water discharged from the reservoir is afunction of the hydraulic head in the reservoir which variesproportionally with the height of the column of retained water.

The interval of time through which the pressure difference operates todischarge water and the amount of water flowing during that interval oftime are related so that the longer the discharge means operates in theopen position, the more water is discharged.

The size of the gate opening through which water will be discharged fora predetermined height and for a predetermined time is also equallyimportant.

The amount of vertical rise of the front upward sloping face of thedeflector with respect to the horizontal distance of the apex of thedeflector from the point of release of the water from the reservoir areinterrelated such that the vertical rise or height of the apex increasesas the horizontal distance of the apex increases from the point ofdischarge.

Where the floor 10 is constructed so as to have an upward slope, theslope of the floor can be a factor in the formation of translatorywaves. The frictional value of the material comprising the bottom mayalso effect the formation of the waves.

The amount of water in the reservoir with respect to the amount of waterabove the apex of the deflector is important in the practice of themethod of the invention. The height of water in the reservoir should beincreased as the height of water above the apex is increased.

In a particular instance, it is determined that a suitable wave may begenerated by constructing a pool such that the normal quiescent level ofwater within the pool area is two to three feet above the apex of thedeflector and the reservoir or wave-producing portion accommodates awater column extending twenty to thirty feet above the floor l9 andproducing a hydraulic head of 15 to 25 feet. The deflector used herewithbegins its inclination immediately in front of the gate to a height of 3feet. Using the water column height and deflector combination asdescribed above, a wave of approximately 4 to 6 feet high (referencecharacter W of FIG. 2) is generated approximately 20 to 30 feet from thewall 18. Numerous wave formations may be created with minor variationsof parameters, in accordance with the invention. For example a shorterwater column and subsequently reduced hydraulic head would tend toproduce along rolling type of wave. Similarly, a considerably shortenedhigher wave could be attained if the hydraulic head were heldsubstantially high and the inclination of the deflector was increased.

Apparatus is constructed for use in accordance with the method of theinvention, wherein the height of the deflector at its apex is 3 feet,the distance from the gate 9 feet, the height of the water in thereservoir above the quiescent level of the water in the pool area is I?feet. By opening the gate and releasing a large amount of water asolitary wave of translation of the spilling breaker type is created.The translatory wave that is produced is referred to as the plungerbreaker type. In this type of wave, the waves curl over in breaking. en-

closing an air pocket which explodes during the breai ing process. Theaction accomplishes excellent mixing of air and water and in sewagetreatment where solid particles are involved breaking and pulverizing ofthe particles.

In Table 1, data is tabulated which represent good operating variablesfor obtaining the explosive swell type waves. In each case, the heightof the deflector at its apex is 3 feet and the distance of the deflectorfrom Height of water level in reservoir above level in pool.

From the foregoing discussion, it is clear that the present inventioncontemplates varying the parameters set forth herein so that one mayproduce translatory waves of the spilling breaker type. The apparatusused in accordance with the method is a hydraulic pressure typeapparatus which is extremely simple in construction and provides verydefinite advantages with respect to overall cost and maintenanceoperations. The energy requirements consist of the pump energy requiredto pump the water to be treated into the reservoir and the mechanicalenergy necessary to open and close the discharge gates or means. Thegeneration of translatory waves may be accurately controlled so thatoptimum mixing of water and air occurs. The amplitude of the wavegenerated is also variably controlled according to the selection ofparameters discussed herewith.

On opening the gate the water flowing through the gate and impingingupon the deflector results in the movement of a large volume of watertraveling downstream of the pool area. The movement of this body ofwater produces a translatory wave of the spilling breaker type whichobtains maximum mixing of water and air and maximum cooling. Uponre-opening the gate for the production of the next wave, it isinteresting to note that if the water added to the pool by the previouswave has not been substantially removed. the subsequent wave will be indeteriorated form and may not be of the spilling breaker type. Indeed,if the rate of water removal from the pool area does not approximate therate of water addition subsequent waves deteriorate. Also, ideally theremoval of water should be as far from the wave-producing area and asnear to the end wall 11 as is feasible. However, water may be removed atany area or at various areas between the wave-producing area and theextreme downstream area.

The apparatus is operated to obtain the best cooling and oxygenenrichment possible and will vary to some extent with the use intended.

The method can be carried out to produce waves of 2-6 feet andpreferably 4-6 feet in height of the explosive translatory type atintervals of 1 to 3 minutes between waves. To obtain waves of this type,the gate is raised to an opened position at a rate of about 300500 feetper second and slowly closed. The amount of water released is determinedby the period of time the gate is in the open position. The opening andclosing cycle of the gate is carried out in 5 to 20 seconds andpreferably 5 to 15 seconds.

The degree of cooling will depend to a large extent on the temperatureof the effluent and the ambient dry and wet bulb temperatures. Startingwith water effluent temperatures, i.e., feed to unit, of about 100 to200 F and preferably 100 to l40 F the water may effectively be cooled by20-l00F and preferably 2060 F to temperatures of 50 to 150 F andpreferably to F at wet bulb temperatures of 40 to 90 F and preferably 50to 60 F.

More preferably in a steam-electric power generation station in whichthe warm effluent water temperature is to F the water is cooled by 30 to60 F at wet bulb temperatures of 50 to 60 F.

The waves can be generated at such a rate that their linear velocitydown the pool can be at a rate of 300 to 500 feet per minute.

The waves for cooling purposes are preferably 5-6 feet in height andabout A to l minute apart.

The waves for sewage treatment are preferably 4-6 feet in height and /'ito /2 minutes apart.

The invention may be better understood by reference to the followingexamples.

EXAMPLE I The process of the present invention will be described withreference to the apparatus illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

A warm effluent water stream from an atomic energy reactor steamelectric power generation station at a temperature of l20l40 F istreated in accordance with the present invention to cool it by 2050 F toa temperature of 65-90 F. The ambient temperature is about 70-95 F andthe wet bulb temperature is about 50-70 F. The cooled effluent can berecycled to the power station to again be used as cooling water to againcondense steam.

A l,000 MWe generator employing 70.000-90,000 gallons per minute ofcooling water in the steam condensing section is used as illustrative.[t is recognized that the sizing of the reservoir and pool area isdependent upon the cooling capacity required. The operating conditionsof the wave generating apparatus are then adjusted to meet theserequirements.

A typical installation includes a pool area about 400 feet long by 300feet wide (about 2.5 acres) having an average depth of nine feet. Thepool area is filled with about 5-6 million gallons of water. Thereservoir is constructed to be about feet long, 20 feet wide and 50 feetin height.

The reservoir R is filled to a height of about 25-30 feet with about 0.5million gallons of water. On starting up the apparatus an ambient drybulb temperature 8595 F and a wet bulb temperature of 5560 F arerecorded at 4:00 P.M. The pool water temperature at equilibrium beforewarm effluent is added is about 80 to 90 F.

Daily operation of the unit for 12 (10:00 AM. to 10:00 P.M.) hourperiods (prior to addition of warm effluent water) at steady state(i.e., with recycle to the reservoir) brings the temperature of thewater in the pool area to about 65 to 75 F. 75

The cooling effect of the wave generating apparatus is shown in the datawhich is collected over a period of two weeks and which is presentedbelow in Table ll. The readings are taken at about 4 PM.

The data obtained on 2, 3 and 10 show a pool area water temperatureapproach to within about 10 F of wet bulb temperature.

The unit is ready for commencement of cooling operations.

Warm effluent water from the power station at a temperature of l20F ispumped into reservoir R through inlet 38 at a continuous rate of70,00090,000 gallons per minute to maintain a reservoir depth of about29 feet. a hydraulic head of about 23 feet, a depth over the apex in thepool area of about 3 feet and a pool depth of 9 feet. Cool Water at atemperature of 7090F is continuously withdrawn at the end of the poolopposite the wave generating apparatus through outlets 33 at about thesame rate as that of addition, i.e., 70.000 to 90,000 gallons perminute.

ln this example, the underwater wave gates 23 are opened to suddenlyrelease about 70,000 to 90,000 gallons of water in a single wave (slug).The complete opening and closing cycle of the gates takes about 9-10seconds.

The sudden shock of releasing this large volume of water when deflectedupward by deflector 20 creates a wave about 5 to 6 feet in height whichforms about 20-40 feet from the gate and travels away from the reservoir to the end of the pool at an average linear velocity of about 350to 450 feet per minute. This action produces an explosive rolling wavewhich travels along the surface the entire distance. The sudden shock ofreleasing the water from the reservoir creates in the pool a translatorywave which as it forms and travels the length of the pool breaks overtraping air under it and effectively and totally mixing the warm wavewater with cooler air. Mixing of the warm water and the cooler body ofwater takes place at the same time. Each wave takes about /i to 10minute to transverse the 400 ft. length of the pool.

The rate of opening and closing can be varied over a wide range. Theoperation in this instance is such that about one wave per minute isgenerated and about 70,000 to 90,000 gallons of water per minute arereleased from the reservoir.

Under the prescribed operating conditions, the warm effluent water aftersteady state conditions are reached is cooled from l20F down to atemperature of 70-90F which is suitable for recycling to the powerstation or for disposal into a river or adjoining body of water.

The translatory wave produced is commonly referred to as the plungerbreaker type. In this type of wave the waves curl over in breaking,enclosing an air pocket which explodes during the breaking process. Thisaction accomplishes excellent simultaneous mixing of air and water sothat maximum cooling effect is achieved.

In a normal day of operation about l to 2 million gallons of water perday are lost due to evaporation to the atmosphere.

The pool surface as the wave passes is turbulent which causes thesurface to cool and the surrounding water to cool more quickly.Turbulent entrainment of the water from beneath the wave as well as fromthe front and back of the wave results in increased mixing and coolingof the warm water wave.

EXAMPLE II In this example, raw sewage is treated to increase the oxygencontent of the sewage, break up solid particles, mix sewage and air andto cool the sewage all of which enhance the biological attack on thesewage. The apparatus and method used are similar to that described inExample I and in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A raw sewage effluent coming directly from trunk lines and interceptorlines containing about percent liquids and 5 percent solids at atemperature of 6575F is treated in accordance with the method of thisinvention.

The treated sewage effluent can be fed into rivers or streams or furthertreated in accordance with conventional sewage treatment procedures.

A typical installation includes a pool area about 300 feet long by feetwide having an average depth of six feet. The pool area when filledcontains about 1.0 to 1.5 million gallons of water and/or sewageeffluent. The reservoir is constructed to be about 150 feet long, 20feet wide and 50 feet in height.

The bottom of the pool may contain baffled areas for the collection andremoval of settled activated sludge.

It is recognized that the sizing of the reservoir and pool area isdependent upon the sewage treating capacity required. The operatingconditions of the wave generating apparatus are then adjusted to meetthese requirements.

Raw sewage effluent at a temperature of about 70F and containing about 2to 3 ppm dissolved oxygen is pumped into reservoir R through inlet 38 ata continuous rate of 60,000 to 90,000 gallons per minute to maintain areservoir depth of about 25-30 feet, a hydraulic head of about 20 to 25feet, a depth over the apex in the pool area of about 2-3 feet and apool depth of about 6 feet. Treated sewage at a temperature of about 60Fand having a dissolved oxygen content of 8l2 ppm is continuouslywithdrawn at the end of the pool opposite the wave generating apparatusthrough outlets 33 at about the same rate as that of addition, i.e.,60.000 to 90,000 gallons per minute. Prior to the start-up of theprocess the pool is filled with water and reservoir is filled with waterand/or untreated sewage effluent. The underwater wave gates 23 are thenopened to release about 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of the sewage effluentin a single wave (slug). The complete opening and closing cycle of thegates takes about 6 to 8 seconds. When the gates are opened the sewageis forced through the gate openings into the channel entrance anddeflected upward by deflector 20 creating a wave about 45 feet in heightwhich forms 20 to 30 feet from the gates and travels the length of thepool at an average linear velocity of 300 to 400 feet per minute. theopening and closing cycles of the gates are operated to produce two tothree waves per minute. The sewage as it comes through the gates isunder extreme pressure and instant breakdown of the solids in the sewageis produced at the moment of release.

The sudden shock caused by releasing the sewage from the reservoircreates in the pool a translating wave which as it forms and travels thelength of the pool breaks over traping air under it and effectively andtotally mixing air with sewage. This action produces an explosiverolling wave which travels along the surface the entire length of thepool. Each wave takes about k to 1.0 minute to transverse the 300 footlength of the pool.

The explosive action of the wave systematically breaks down organicmatter into finer particles, encases large amounts of air with liquidsand solids, mixes liquids, solids and air instantly and in additioncools the water, all of which enhances the bateriological attack on thesewage. High levels of oxygen are dissolved throughout the surface ofthe pool to a depth of about 4 feet.

The rolling wave motion crushes, mixes and allows complete aeration ofthe broken down sewage particles. The minute sewage particles aresurrounded by oxygen and due to the wave action are forced down belowthe surface to a depth of 3-4 feet to assume constant mixing andagitation during treatment. The aeration of the sewage facilitates theconsumption of organic waste by bacteria.

The gates 23 are periodically opened and closed to form two to threewaves every minute. The waves continuously flow down the length of thepool, allowing sedimentation of heavier objects and providing thecarrying force for finer particles. The upper surface is continuouslyaerated while the volume of water and suspended sewage below is beingagitated.

The activated sludge that forms settles on the bottom of the pool whichcan be made in the form of a series of baffles. The sludge can thusperiodically be withdrawn by suitable means. The rate of opening andclosing the gates can be varied over a wide range.

The depth of water in the pool can be adjusted to produce the wave andsediment settling action needed. The process can function as a batchoperation with recycle of treated sewage until the desired degree ofaeration is attained or sewage may be continually added through opening38 while the aerated sewage is drawn off down stream through outlets 33for further processing or disposal.

The continued wave-like motion over the holding area enhances theaeration and fosters the consumption of organic waste by bacteria. Thewaves may be adjusted to step up the process and the more oxygen thatenters into the water, the faster the activation of sludge will takeplace. Thus, the subject process provides a highly effective treatmentmethod at a low cost and in a minimum area.

EXAMPLE III In FIGSv 3 and 4, a complete compact sewage treating systemis described in schematic representation. The method is described as anebb and flow waste stabilization system employing this new method topurify waste waters. Accordingly, the apparatus comprises three separatechannels each including a holding tank, reservoir and gates whichfunction as a continuous system. That is, raw sewage is fed throughinlet 68 into channel No. l. The partially treated sewage is withdrawnand fed into channel 2 where it is further treated, is withdrawn and fedto channel 3 where the treatment is completed and purified water isextracted downstream in channel No. 3 through line 87.

Channel No. 1 allows the settling of grit and solids. It allows also theremoval of the remaining elements that have settled to the bottom duringthe overall aeration process. Channel No. 2 allows the application oflime or addition of other chemicals to reduce the concentration ofphosphate within the mixture. Channel No. 3 allows for the addition ofCO and chlorine and the removal of ammonia that is formed by thebacteriological attack on the organic materials in the sewage effluent.

As an alternative, channels 1 and 2 can function as full holding areasand activated sludge can be periodically removed loading it directlyonto vehicles or conveyors, or recirculation may also be required tocontinue the activation of sludge.

The overall operation of the-wave generating apparatus in each of thethree channels is essentially the same as described in Example ll above.

In this embodiment of the invention, raw sewage comprised of percentliquids and 5 percent solids is fed into a first holding tank behind thewave gate of the reservoir R of channel 1. The gates 23 are liftedcausing a rapid surge of sewage which is deflected by deflector 20 andforms an explosive wave about four-five feet in height which passes overthe holding area in channel 1. This explosive-type wave both dissolvesand entraps large quantities of air in the water both initially and asthe wave flows along channel 1. The explosive wave action also serves tobreak up the sewage into minute particles which may be more readilyattacked by bacteria.

In the reservoir and immediately after release the entire sewage slurryis under an extreme pressure. Instant breakdown of solids in the sewageis produced at the moment of release from the reservoir. Minuteparticles of sewage are surrounded by oxygen and then forced back downinto the mass within the channel.

In channel 1 the gates 23 are periodically activated to cause a seriesof waves which travel the length of the channel. The timing of the gates23 are such that two to three waves are formed every minute. With thecontinued wave-like motion over the holding area in channel l, theactivated sludge that is formed settles, and aeration of the sewage isenhanced and fosters the consumption of organic waste by bacteria. Themore oxygen that enters the water, the faster the activation of sludgewill take place.

The design of the channel bottom allows the waves to continue across theentire surface. Also, allowing, during the ebb and flowing of the wave,sedimentation of the heavier particles. Increased turbulence is providedby the peaks 61 of the baffles as the waves pass over the baffle areas.

A series of baffle-like settling areas 60 are built into the floor ofthe channel 1 to facilitate sedimentation. The settling areas 60comprise a plurality of transversely arranged troughs having a peak 61at approximately the quiescent level of the water, a vertical wall 62descending therefrom and a rapidly sloping surface 63 leading to anoutlet 64. On the opposite side of the outlet 64, the surface 66 slopesmore gradually upward to the next peak 61. While three settling areas 60are shown, it is to be understood that any suitable number of settlingareas could be selected depending upon the volume of materials treated.At the end of the last settling area 60, the treated sewage is withdrawnthrough line 69 and is fed to channel No. 2. Additional oxygen mayoptionally be introduced in the feed stream by forcing compressed airtherein. In the meanwhile, the precipitated sludge from the outlets 64may be pumped to an incinerator or to drying beds for disposal. Activated sludge may also be withdrawn and recycled if needed back into theholding tank B1 or the reservoir of channel 1 to enhance thebacteriological effects upon the new sewage feed.

The thus treated sewage effluent from channel 1 is next circulated to asecond holding area B2 behind the wave gate of channel 2 for secondarytreatment.

The reservoir and wave generating means in channel No. 2 functionprecisely like that of channel No. l, and the sewage mass is once againmixed with air allowing the bacteria to break down the organic matter.The waves generated in channel 2 as in channel 1 travel the full lengthof channel 2.

The series of settling areas 70 of channel No. 2 function in a similarmanner as areas 60 in channel No. l and are of the like design havingsloping faces 73 and 76 directing sedimentary materials downwardly tooutlets 74. The settling areas 70 comprise a plurality of transverselyarranged troughs having a peak 71 at approximately the quiescent levelof the water, a vertical wall 72 descending therefrom. Surfaces 73 and76 are the same as 63 and 64 respectively of channel 1. Lime is added inthe first holding area 70 to precipitate out any phosphates in thewater. The phosphates settle in the holding areas 70 and are then pumpedfrom the outlets 74 and disposed of.

The effluent 79 from channel No. 2, which may be as high as 90 percentpure water at this stage, is removed and transferred into holding tankB3 of channel No. 3. Additional air may be induced into the transferline as needed to increase the oxygen content of the effluent.Optionally as desired part or all of the effluent from channel 2 line 79can be recycled to channel 2 for additional treatment.

The reservoir and wave generating apparatus of channel 3 functions inessentially the same manner as that of channel Nos. 1 and 2. However,the design of channel 3 is such that the waves do not travel the entirelength of the channel.

In channel No. 3, the wave gate again opens and the water in the form ofa series of explosive waves surge over fill means 84, e.g., mechanicalmeans for breaking up the water into smaller particles which filterdownward to outlet 82. The breakup of water into smaller particlesreleases a small amount of ammonia gas into hooded area 80 and fromthere to the atmosphere.

Channel No.3 is so designed that the holding tank B3 and the reservoirare at a higher elevation than channel area A3. This allows the sewageeffluent to flow by gravity, after release, through the mechanicalbreak-up means 84, for example strippings of hemlock, and inlet 82 intoholding areas 83.

Further purification is accomplished by the addition of CO gas in thefirst holding area 83 which precipitates nitrates. The effluent is thenpassed over activated carbon filters in the second holding area 83.Chlorine is added to the thus treated effluent in the third holding area83. The addition of chlorine in the third holding area comprises thefinal purification step of the process. The purified water is carriedover the last projection 85 to the outlet 87 and may then be pumpedwhere desired. The water flowing from channel No. 3 in line 87 issubstantially percent pure.

Throughout this entire processing, a continual flow is set up. It is ofcourse understood that one or more holding areas can be used for each ofthe above described purification steps. Raw sewage can be supplementedby additional water to set up a systematic timing of gate releaseproducing waves along the surface at the desired cycle of frequency.

The present invention broadly relates to a process for treating watereffluents to cool and to increase the oxygen content thereof. Theprocess has specific application in the treatment of warm watereffluents from electric power generation stations, industrial processesand in the treatment of sewage effluents.

in the treatment of warm water effluents, the dissolved oxygen contentof the warm water effluent feed to the reservoir can be less than 3 ppm,for example, 0 to 3 ppm. The cooled water withdrawn from the downstreamarea can have a dissolved oxygen content of more than 5 ppm, e.g., 5 tol2 ppm.

The warm water effluent from a power generating station feed to thereservoir can have a dissolved oxygen content ofO to 2 ppm. The cooledwater withdrawn from the downstream area can contain 6 to 10 ppmdissolved oxygen. Depending on the operating conditions, the dissolvedoxygen content can be 5 to 8 ppm.

In the treatment of sewage effluent feed to the reservoir. the feed canhave a dissolved oxygen content of less than 4 ppm, e.g., 0 to 4 ppm.The dissolved oxygen content, due to the wave action, during thetreatment of the sewage can be more than 4 ppm, e.g., about 4 to 12 ppmdepending on the stage of treatment and the biological oxygen demand.The substantially pure water effluent from the sewage treating processcan contain more than 8 ppm, e.g., about 8 to 14 ppm dissolved oxygen.

CONCLUSION To summarize, the invention pertains to a process fortreating water, although by variation of certain parameters it can beused to treat other liquids as well. The process introduces substantialamounts of oxygen within the liquid to be upgraded or cooled by theformation of waves therein. Screening and sedimentation may be includedalong with chemical action. The method may be used to wash industrialdischarges or components. Further uses include separation of material ona weight per volume basis to permit automatic grading of substances. Thewave action can be adjusted to produce a tumbling action for abrasivepurposes.

In an application of current interest, the method can be adapted tocleaning harbors and to eliminate surface pollutants as in oil dumps,etc. The units would allow large water volumes to be processed andreturned directly to where they originated.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are merelyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by thoseskilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention andfall within the spirit and scope thereof. I

Various changes and modifications in the device chosen for purposes ofillustration in the drawings will readily occur to persons skilled inthe art having regard for the disclosure thereof.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby letters Patent is:

l. The method of treating sewage to eliminate pollutants therefrom;

Comprising the steps of:

a. Feeding the sewage into a reservoir to a desired level to obtain ahydraulic head of to 25 feet behind a wave gate outlet means which leadsto a pool area having a beffle-like floor design, filling the pool areato a predetermined level of 6 to 8 feet in depth with water, said sewageor mixtures thereof with the outlets therefrom closed, said desiredlevel being to feet above the normal quiescent level of the water, saidsewage or mixtures thereof in said pool area;

b. Lifting the wave gate for a predetermined time interval of 5 to 20seconds and at a predetermined rate of speed of 300 to 500 feet persecond. said wave gate outlet being located at the lower portion of thegate to cause a sudden surge of sewage effluent under the influence ofthe hydraulic head;

c. Directing the water upwardly with a deflector to form a translatorywave of the spilling breaker type 4 to 5 feet in height which movesacross the pool area, aerating the sewage by dissolving large quantitiesof air therein by the wave action and simultaneously breaking upparticles to promote more effective aeration and removing activatedsludge settling from the sewage, said activated sludge containing saidpollutants.

2. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 1 includingthe step of agitating the sewage by means of a series of baffle-likeprojections to increase the amount of oxygen therein and to precipitateout the activated sludge.

3. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 2 wherein thesludge is precipitated out over a series of transversely arrangedsettling areas.

4. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 1 furtherincluding the steps of removing the activated sludge from the pool areaby pumping it to disposal means, and recirculating the water from thedownstream portion of the pool area to the reservoir.

5. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 1 furtherincluding the step of feeding the sewage effluent from the downstreamportion of the pool area to further purification means.

6. The method of treating sewage effluent containing about 95 percentwater and about 5 percent solids to eliminate pollutants therefrom;Comprising the steps of:

a. Periodically causing wave movements of predetermined characteristicsin a first channel area having an upstream and downstream area andcontaining sewage to maximize the amount of oxygen dissolved therein andto break up particles of matter to smaller sizes, said waves beingformed at the upstream area at the rate of 2 to 3 per minute andcharacterized as being translatory waves 4 to 5 feet in height of thespilling breaker type which curl over enclosing an air pocket thatexplodes during breaking to intermittently mix air and sewage effluent,precipitating out pollutants as sludge over a plurality of bafflesarranged in the first channel area. removing the sludge from the systemand feeding the downstream effluent from the first channel area to asecond channel area;

b. Periodically causing wave movements of predetermined characteristicsin the second channel area in substantially the same manner and havingsubstantially the same characteristics as the waves in (a) to maximizethe amount of oxygen dissolved therein and foster the consumption oforganic matter by bacteria. adding lime to the channel area to causeprecipitation of phosphates over a plurality of baffles arranged in thesecond channel area removing the precipitated material from the systemand feeding the downstream effluent from the second channel area to athird channel area;

c. Periodically causing wave movements of predetermined characteristicsin the third channel area in substantially the same manner and havingsubstantially the same characteristics as the waves in (a), passing thewaves over till means which effectively break up the waves into smallerparticles thereby removing and capturing ammonia from the effluent whichcontinues to flow downstream, and chemically treating the effluent inthe third channel area to produce purified water.

7. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 6 furtherincluding the steps of aerating the effluent as it is fed from the firstchannel area to the second channel area and from the second channel areato the third channel area by injecting compressed air into the stream.

8. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 6 wherein thewater is chemically treated in the third channel area by the addition ofcarbon dioxide and chlorine thereto as the treated sewage effluentpasses along the length of said channel area.

9. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 6 wherein thefill means consists essentially of strippings of hemlock.

10. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 6 wherein thebaffles in the first and second channel areas comprise a plurality oftransversely ar ranged troughs having a peak at approximately thequiescent level of the sewage in the channel areas and downwardlysloping walls of a particular configuration leading to an outlet for thesludge.

11. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 10 whereinthe baffles each include in the direction of water movement a peak. avertical wall and a rapidly sloping wall down to the outlet and anopposite wall sloping upwardly and more gradually to the next peak.

12. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim 6 wherein thebaffles in each of said first and second channel areas are weir-like inmanner arranged across each of said channel areas to permit densermaterials to settle in finer grades as the effluent flows over the fulllength of each of said channel areas.

13. A method for increasing the oxygen concentration ofa sewage effluentstream to enhance the biological attack of microorganisms on thebiodegradable sewage by mixing said sewage effluent with air and a bodyof water, said body having an upstream and downstream area and at theupstream area, producing translatory waves of the spilling breaker typewhich curl over enclosing an air pocket which explodes during breakingto intermittently mix sewage air and water;

Comprising the steps of:

a. Feeding and storing the sewage effluent containing about 95 percentwater and about percent solids in a reservoir at a predetermined levelof to feet above the normal quiescent level of the water in said body ofwater to provide a hydraulic head of stored sewage effluent of 15 to 25feet, said reservoir being separate from said body of water andcomprising discharge means for releasing a controllable amount of saidstored sewage effluent water from the reservoir to said body of water.

bl Successively opening and closing said discharge means at a rate oftwo to three times per minute for intermittent release of a controllableamount of said stored sewage effluent under the pressure of saidhydraulic head. into said body of water, from beneath the surface ofsaid body of water, said body of water in the area of wave generationbeing 6-8 feet in depth;

c. Directing each controllable amount of said released sewage effluentagainst a deflector so that the released water flows diagonally upwardtoward the surface of said body of water to form a translatory wave ofthe spilling breaker type 4 to 5 feet in height and a movement of waterin the downstream direction. said water flowing at a linear velocityover said bottom surface at a rate of 300 to 400 feet per minute andwithdrawing treated sewage from the body of water substantially enrichedin oxygen concentration.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the sewage effluent feed to thereservoir contains 0 to 4 ppm dissolved oxygen and the dissolved oxygencontent due to the wave action during treatment is about 4 to 12 ppm.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the effluent from the sewagetreatment process contains about 8 to 14 ppm dissolved oxygen.

1. The method of treating sewage to eliminate pollutants therefrom;Comprising the steps of: a. Feeding the sewage into a reservoir to adesired level to obtain a hydraulic head of 15 to 25 feet behind a wavegate outlet means which leads to a pool area having a beffle-like floordesign, filling the pool area to a predetermined level of 6 to 8 feet indepth with water, said sewage or mixtures thereof with the outletstherefrom closed, said desired level being 20 to 25 feet above thenormal quiescent level of the water, said sewage or mixtures thereof insaid pool area; b. Lifting the wave gate for a predetermined timeinterval of 5 to 20 seconds and at a predetermined rate of speed of 300to 500 feet per second, said wave gate outlet being located at the lowerportion of the gate to cause a sudden surge of sewage effluent under theinfluence of the hydraulic head; c. Directing the water upwardly with adeflector to form a translatory wave of the spilling breaker type 4 to 5feet in height which moves across the pool area, aerating the sewage bydissolving large quantities of air therein by the wave action andsimultaneously breaking up particles to promote more effective aerationand removing activated sludge settling from the sewage, said activatedsludge containing said pollutants.
 2. THE METHOD OF TREATING SEWAGE INACCORDANCE WITH CLAIM 1 INCLUDING THE STEP OF AGITATING THE SEWAGE BYMEANS OF A SERIES OF BAFFLE-LIKE PROJECTIONS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OFOXYGEN THEREIN AND TO PRECIPITATE OUT THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE.
 2. Themethod of treating sewage in accordance with claim 1 including the stepof agitating the sewage by means of a series of baffle-like projectionsto increase the amount of oxygen therein and to precipitate out theactivated sludge.
 3. The method of treating sewage in accordance withclaim 2 wherein the sludge is precipitated out over a series oftransversely arranged settling areas.
 4. The method of treating sewagein accordance with claim 1 further including the steps of removing theactivated sludge from the pool area by pumping it to disposal means, andrecirculating the water from the downstream portion of the pool area tothe reservoir.
 5. The method of treating sewage in accordance with claim1 further including the step of feeding the sewage effluent from thedownstream portion of the pool area to further purification means. 6.The method of treating sewage effluent containing about 95 percent waterand about 5 percent solids to eliminate pollutants therefrom; Comprisingthe steps of: a. Periodically causing wave moVements of predeterminedcharacteristics in a first channel area having an upstream anddownstream area and containing sewage to maximize the amount of oxygendissolved therein and to break up particles of matter to smaller sizes,said waves being formed at the upstream area at the rate of 2 to 3 perminute and characterized as being translatory waves 4 to 5 feet inheight of the spilling breaker type which curl over enclosing an airpocket that explodes during breaking to intermittently mix air andsewage effluent, precipitating out pollutants as sludge over a pluralityof baffles arranged in the first channel area, removing the sludge fromthe system and feeding the downstream effluent from the first channelarea to a second channel area; b. Periodically causing wave movements ofpredetermined characteristics in the second channel area insubstantially the same manner and having substantially the samecharacteristics as the waves in (a) to maximize the amount of oxygendissolved therein and foster the consumption of organic matter bybacteria, adding lime to the channel area to cause precipitation ofphosphates over a plurality of baffles arranged in the second channelarea removing the precipitated material from the system and feeding thedownstream effluent from the second channel area to a third channelarea; c. Periodically causing wave movements of predeterminedcharacteristics in the third channel area in substantially the samemanner and having substantially the same characteristics as the waves in(a), passing the waves over fill means which effectively break up thewaves into smaller particles thereby removing and capturing ammonia fromthe effluent which continues to flow downstream, and chemically treatingthe effluent in the third channel area to produce purified water.
 7. Themethod of treating sewage in accordance with claim 6 further includingthe steps of aerating the effluent as it is fed from the first channelarea to the second channel area and from the second channel area to thethird channel area by injecting compressed air into the stream.
 8. Themethod of treating sewage in accordance with claim 6 wherein the wateris chemically treated in the third channel area by the addition ofcarbon dioxide and chlorine thereto as the treated sewage effluentpasses along the length of said channel area.
 9. The method of treatingsewage in accordance with claim 6 wherein the fill means consistsessentially of strippings of hemlock.
 10. The method of treating sewagein accordance with claim 6 wherein the baffles in the first and secondchannel areas comprise a plurality of transversely arranged troughshaving a peak at approximately the quiescent level of the sewage in thechannel areas and downwardly sloping walls of a particular configurationleading to an outlet for the sludge.
 11. The method of treating sewagein accordance with claim 10 wherein the baffles each include in thedirection of water movement a peak, a vertical wall and a rapidlysloping wall down to the outlet and an opposite wall sloping upwardlyand more gradually to the next peak.
 12. The method of treating sewagein accordance with claim 6 wherein the baffles in each of said first andsecond channel areas are weir-like in manner arranged across each ofsaid channel areas to permit denser materials to settle in finer gradesas the effluent flows over the full length of each of said channelareas.
 13. A method for increasing the oxygen concentration of a sewageeffluent stream to enhance the biological attack of microorganisms onthe biodegradable sewage by mixing said sewage effluent with air and abody of water, said body having an upstream and downstream area and atthe upstream area, producing translatory waves of the spilling breakertype which curl over enclosing an air pocket which explodes duringbreaking to intermittently mix sewage air and water; Comprising thesteps of: a. Feeding and storing the sewage effluent containIng about 95percent water and about 5 percent solids in a reservoir at apredetermined level of 20 to 25 feet above the normal quiescent level ofthe water in said body of water to provide a hydraulic head of storedsewage effluent of 15 to 25 feet, said reservoir being separate fromsaid body of water and comprising discharge means for releasing acontrollable amount of said stored sewage effluent water from thereservoir to said body of water; b. Successively opening and closingsaid discharge means at a rate of two to three times per minute forintermittent release of a controllable amount of said stored sewageeffluent under the pressure of said hydraulic head, into said body ofwater, from beneath the surface of said body of water, said body ofwater in the area of wave generation being 6-8 feet in depth; c.Directing each controllable amount of said released sewage effluentagainst a deflector so that the released water flows diagonally upwardtoward the surface of said body of water to form a translatory wave ofthe spilling breaker type 4 to 5 feet in height and a movement of waterin the downstream direction, said water flowing at a linear velocityover said bottom surface at a rate of 300 to 400 feet per minute andwithdrawing treated sewage from the body of water substantially enrichedin oxygen concentration.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the sewageeffluent feed to the reservoir contains 0 to 4 ppm dissolved oxygen andthe dissolved oxygen content due to the wave action during treatment isabout 4 to 12 ppm.